Planetdance Studio and Fee Policies
GENERAL ETIQUETTE
All students are expected to be well-behaved, courteous, honest, and abide by the rules of Planetdance. Disrespectful, uncooperative, or aggressively competitive attitudes do not have a place at Planetdance. Any parent or student exhibiting these attitudes will be asked to leave. Planetdance expects all students to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful to others and to themselves. Students will not make comparisons to each other or speak negatively about one another or the instructors.
ATTENDANCE
Class attendance is of the utmost importance in a student’s progress and technical development, along with the advancement of choreography. Students must attend at least 70% of classes during the term to maintain their position in Troupe. If any other school, sporting or external commitments greatly impact your attendance to all enrolled classes, a decision by the Director may be made to withdraw your position in Troupe.
STUDIO EXCLUSIVITY
Troupe students are expected to receive all their dance training exclusively from Planetdance. Any students who wish to participate in events organised or co-ordinated by other dance schools or choreographers (performances, open classes etc) must have prior written consent from the Studio Directors before participation.
HEALTH OF STUDENTS
We accept Students on the assumption that they are in good health and fitness. It is crucial for you to notify Planetdance of any medical complaint or history suffered by the student. This open communication is key to ensuring the student's well-being and their ability to engage in physical activities. Our policy is clear: students and staff who are unwell with respiratory illness or flu-like symptoms should remain at home until all symptoms disappear. This is to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in our community.
STUDENT/ INSTRUCTOR INTERACTION
Please be advised that the study of dance involves physical contact. Instructors often need to make hands-on contact to adjust students’ alignment and demonstrate proper motion. Your health and well-being are of utmost importance to us, so please inform the faculty of any recent illness, injury, or other condition that may interfere with your class work. All Teachers employed at Planetdance have a verified 'Working With Children’s Check' in place.
DROP OFF/ PICK UP
Planetdance is not responsible for students that leave the building unattended. Please pick up students promptly after their class. For the safety of the children, please note that in front of the studio is a no-parking zone. Young children must always be attended to and supervised. Please do not drop your child off early to have the desk, instructor, or another child babysit before or after their class.
CLASS ETIQUETTE
Punctuality and regularity are required at Planetdance. Students must be on time unless the teacher has been previously notified. All Dress codes must be adhered to. Please see reception for requirements. Incomplete or improper dress and hair for all classes could result in dismissal. If a student is dismissed from class, there will not be a credit or refund of tuition. No food or drinks (except water) are allowed in studios, dressing rooms, hallways or bathrooms. Chewing gum is not allowed within the Planetdance studios. No foul language or swearing in class or in the studio. No smoking, alcohol, or drugs are allowed on the premises. No mobile phones, toys, or distractions are allowed in any dance class. Be polite and give full attention to the instructor. It is appreciated when dancers raise their hands if there is a question or problem and refrain from talking in class(es). Do not swing on the barres. They are used for support and balance and are not meant to be used as climbing equipment.
MAKEUP CLASSES
Make-up classes will be held only if Planetdance cancels a class during the dance year due to an unforeseen event. There are no make-up classes for any school-age students should they miss them for any reason.
OTHER GENERAL BUILDING ETIQUETTE
No running or sitting on stairs will be permitted. They are exit routes and must be accessible at all times. The reception area and waiting rooms are not playgrounds. Please keep the noise down. Only those who have class upstairs will be permitted upstairs. Fighting and violent behaviour are NEVER acceptable at Planetdance. Tap shoes are to be worn only in the studios. Do not arrive in your tap shoes. Please put on and take off your shoes inside the studio. Only Planetdance staff members will have access to admin areas. Please respect our décor. Don' stand on tables, chairs, or benches. Blinds are to be opened and closed only by Planetdance staff members. Parents and friends should not enter the studios while class is in progress.
PERSONAL RISK
When enrolling students at Planetdance, you need to be aware that some aspects of the program could be physically demanding and that there are certain inherent physical risks in the activities in which the students may be participating. While Planetdance and its staff will make every reasonable effort to teach students proper dance techniques, the risk associated with these activities cannot be foreseen or may be beyond the control of Planetdance and its staff.
PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL
Children may be photographed or videoed during a class/performance, which may be used as promotional material or on Planetdance’s website or social media. You must notify administration in writing if you object.
CCTV
Our premises has a CCTV system so that the teaching environment can be monitored at all times.
CHILD PROTECTION
Child Protection Authorities have approved all teachers and staff. For further information please view our child safety policy, available on our website
Planetdance reserves the right to remove a student for behaviour problems, excessive lateness, absence or behaviour inappropriate for dancers. Failure to comply with the above rules/regulations will result in a conference with the director/s. Refusal to cooperate after the meeting may result in suspension and /or dismissal from Planetdance. Planetdance reserves the right to refuse service and/or admission. The policies and procedures may be amended at any time without notice. Changes may be posted on the website and/or Facebook. All classes and teachers are subject to change: Planetdance reserves the right to hire a substitute teacher should the need arise.
INVOICES
Any student who enrols during the term will receive their invoice within one week of enrollment. All invoices will be emailed. If you are still waiting to receive your term invoice within the first two weeks of each term, you must contact the office or check your parent portal for your account balance and due date of fees. We will not accept any excuses for missed payments because invoices were not received. Students starting mid-term will only be charged for classes remaining in that term. Costume levies are charged from the beginning of the year; therefore, these will be invoiced when enrolling.
PAYMENTS
Term payments are required. Accounts will be issued and emailed to you before the commencement of each term. Fees are to be paid in advance and are non-refundable. Term fees are paid via AUTO PAY or at reception. All accounts must be finalised by the due date of each account, or a late fee will be payable. Please remember that only with everyone fulfilling financial commitments can Planetdance continue to provide first-class tuition for all students at a competitive price structure. Should a payment fail, a dishonour will be payable. Auto Pay Terms and Conditions can be found at the end of this information pack. Any overdue accounts will be passed onto a debt collection agency. Planetdance reserves the right to pass on to the client all fees incurred due to the recovery process.
REGISTRATION FEES
An annual non-refundable registration fee of $45.00 per student must be paid prior to the first lesson to cover administration costs, and intellectual property fees for music.
COMPETITION FEES
During the year, competition entry fees may be added to your account to cover the cost of participation in competitions and Eisteddfods. It is assumed all students will participate in the all competing, hence an entry fee will be charged regardless of participation.
CREDIT AND REFUNDS
Overhead costs continue regardless of how many students attend classes. Therefore, there are no refunds for classes not attended. Credits and refunds will not be issued due to missed classes, illnesses (including COVID), school events or holidays, or if you choose not to return during the term for any reason. Fees cannot be transferred to another student or family member. In the case of a serious illness of more than 4 weeks, payments may be credited to another term within the current year of enrolment (a medical certificate must be presented as proof). Credits will only be applicable during the registered year. Registration fee and Advance Deposit is non-refundable for any reason.
CLASS CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS
If you enrol in a class (any class) during the first three weeks of any term, the administration will assume that you will be participating in that class for the whole term. You may only withdraw from any classes or change disciplines within the first two weeks of term 1, 2 and 3. If payment has been made within this time, fees can be credited to another discipline or term. Class cancellations or changes may not occur in Term 4. You must notify the administration in writing of any changes made in the first two weeks; otherwise, you must wait until the end of the term and, therefore, are obligated to pay in full that term's tuition (email info@planetdancemenai.com.au).
COSTUMES ORDERED
Costumes are ordered well before a routine is finished. If a troupe student withdraws from a class after a costume has been ordered, the cost of that costume and any associated accessories will still be payable by the withdrawing student. Costume levies paid (if any) for cancelled classes can be credited to class fees of the current registered year, provided that they have yet to be ordered and cancellation has occurred before 22nd July 2025. If a client cancels within the first 2 weeks of Term 1,2, or 3 and accumulates an outstanding balance, costume levy/ies already paid will be credited to the outstanding balance.
END OF YEAR CONCERTS
Troupe Concert participation is compulsory for all troupe students. Performances in our Ready Set Dance and Recreational concerts (dates TBA) may also be included. It will be at the discretion of the studio directors to determine which routines will be performed at the end of year concerts and which students will be participating in extra routines (e.g. Opening) Each student participating in the concert will be invoiced a Concert Levy of $95. This will cover the professional videography, concert rehearsals and finale costume items.
DISCOUNTS
We offer our Troupe Families a 20% multi-class discount for 5+ class enrolments and 28% multi class discount for 10+ class enrolments (class fees only - not including extension programs). The multi-class discount only applies to students who are fully enrolled during the holiday period preceding the start of each term. Enrolments finalised once the term starts are not entitled to the discount until the following term. Please see the table below to view the dates that Auto Pay will run. Please note that if you are paying at Reception, this must be done a full business day before the dates below; otherwise, your card will be debited. The discount only applies to Troupe Class Fees and does not include Costume or Concert Costs Levies/invoices, or extension programs
LATE PAYMENT FEE
If anything invoiced is more than 7 days late, a 10% Late Payment Fee will be added to the outstanding balance of the invoiced total. In the event that an invoice is partially paid, the penalty will only be applied to the balance of the invoice. If payment of the Term Invoice has not been received by the 5th week of term, the student may not be admitted into classes.
FEES IN ARREARS
Classes may be suspended should fees fall in arrears. Anyone with outstanding balances cannot perform at the end-of-year concert. Students with outstanding amounts on their account will not be entitled to private lessons. Enrollment will be suspended for the following term if all fees are not paid when the studio closes for each Term holiday. Parents unable to meet the payment deadlines must speak to the administration to arrange a suitable payment plan. Students who have any fees and/or costume levy/ies in arrears will be given their Concert costume once their account reflects a $0.00 balance.
CO-PARENTING
With a co-parenting arrangement, Planetdance is happy to send emails to both parents when both parents are nominated on the registration form. However, we do not manage co-payments. The parent enrolling the student is responsible for payments irrespective of co-parenting agreements. Please ensure all fees are paid when due. Planetdance cannot engage in discussion or written correspondence on behalf of either co-parent or a third party.
Q. Is Auto Pay compulsory?
A. Yes, it is compulsory for all students to be registered for Auto Pay
Q. Are there alternate payment methods?
A. Yes, you will still be able to make payments at Reception by cash or card. The only payment method that will no longer be available is Direct Bank Transfer. If your account balance is $0.00, Auto Pay will not deduct any funds from your nominated card.
Q. What dates will Auto Pay run?
A. Auto Pay will run on the due date of each transaction. We will be sending reminders for Term fees however it will be your responsibility to ensure funds are available regardless of whether you have received a reminder or not.
Q. Will we still receive statements?
A. Absolutely. Our usual routine of sending statements during the school holidays for each upcoming term will continue as normal. You will have ample time to review your statement prior to the payment being deducted from your card.
Q. Can I set up a Payment Plan to be deducted weekly, fortnightly?
A. YES! Once you have registered for Auto Pay, you can request a set amount to be deducted from your account either weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Any remaining balance on your account will be deducted on the due date. You can request a payment plan by emailing: info@planetdancemenai.com.au .
Q. Is there a surcharge?
A. Yes, a $1.75 surcharge + $0.30 is charged by DSP Merchant Services which will be passed onto you at the time of transaction.
Q. Are my credit card or debit card details safe?
A. DSP Merchant Services is managed by Stripe – one of the largest financial services software companies in the world. Stripe uses the most stringent levels of certification available in the online payments industry. Neither we (Planetdance) or our software provider (DSP) can see your full credit card details and they are fully encrypted by Stripe.
Q. Can the funds be debited from a bank account?
A. Bank transfers are not a payment method that will be accepted for Term fees.
Q. How do I set it up?
A. If you are not yet set up for Auto Pay, this will form part of the registration process when enrolling online. You will be required to have a valid credit card registered before the system will allow you to proceed with enrolments.
Q. Where can we read the Terms & Conditions?
A. Terms and Conditions are outlined on the Parent Portal which you will need to read and agree to before registering your card details. If you have any specific questions, you can call our Studio on 0468 778 867 during business hours.
